12/15/21, 2:39 PM Covid: Omicron spreading at unprecedented rate, WHO says - BBC News

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Covid: Omicron spreading at unprecedented rate,

WHO says
3 hours ago

Coronavirus pandemic

AFP

The Omicron variant was first identified by South Africa

The new coronavirus variant Omicron is spreading across the globe at an

unprecedented rate, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.

Cases of the heavily mutated variant have been confirmed in 77 countries.

But at a press conference, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it

was probably in many others that had yet to detect it.

Dr Tedros said he was concerned that not enough was being done to tackle
the variant.

"Surely, we have learned by now that we underestimate this virus at our peril.
Even if Omicron does cause less severe disease, the sheer number of cases
could once again overwhelm unprepared health systems," he said.

Is Omicron milder despite dodging immunity?

Why do boosters work if two doses struggle?

Is low vaccination a factor in the rise of Omicron?

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12/15/21, 2:39 PM Covid: Omicron spreading at unprecedented rate, WHO says - BBC News
The WHO's latest data suggests the variant - first detected in South Africa in
November - can better evade existing vaccines and carries a higher risk of re-
infection, leading the organisation to say the level of risk remains very high.

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A number of countries have introduced travel bans affecting South Africa and
its neighbours following the emergence of Omicron, but this has failed to stop
it from spreading around the world.

In other developments
More than 800,000 Americans have now died from the coronavirus - the
highest recorded national death toll from the global pandemic

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson won backing for Covid passes in England,
despite the biggest revolt by members of his own party since he became
PM

The UK government also announced on Tuesday that all 11 countries on

its travel red list would be taken off, with Health Secretary Sajid Javid
saying the Omicron variant had spread so widely the rules no longer had
much purpose

Italy has extended a state of emergency until 31 March 2022, citing

concerns over Omicron. The measures, which were due to expire at the end
of December, give the government more power to limit travel and public
gatherings

The Netherlands says it will close primary schools a week before the
Christmas holidays are due to start, in a pre-emptive bid to tackle
infections

Norway has announced a ban on serving alcohol in bars and restaurants,

among other measures

In Tuesday's news conference, Dr Tedros reiterated concerns about vaccine

inequity, as some countries accelerate rollouts of a booster shot in response to
Omicron.

Recent studies of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine showed it produced far fewer

neutralising antibodies against Omicron than against the original strain, but
that this deficit could be reversed by a third, booster, jab.

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12/15/21, 2:39 PM Covid: Omicron spreading at unprecedented rate, WHO says - BBC News

What we know about Omicron and its impact on Africa

Dr Tedros said boosters could play an important role in curbing the spread of
Covid-19, but that it was "a question of prioritisation".

"The order matters. Giving boosters to groups at low risk of severe disease or
death simply endangers the lives of those at high risk who are still waiting for
their primary doses because of supply constraints," he said.

Supplies to the global vaccine-sharing programme Covax have increased in

recent months.

However, world health officials fear a shortfall of tens of millions of doses -

like the one which occurred in the middle of this year when India suspended its
vaccine exports - could happen again.

In poorer countries, some vulnerable people are yet to receive a single dose.

Global vaccine rollout

Click or tap the map

Percent of people fully vaccinated

No data 0 10 20 30 40 50+

Scroll table Filter table: The World

Location Doses per 100 people Total doses

World 107.6 8,471,850,118

China 180.6 2,622,808,050

India 95.5 1,331,399,226

US 144.0 484,190,896

Brazil 149.6 320,112,450

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12/15/21, 2:39 PM Covid: Omicron spreading at unprecedented rate, WHO says - BBC News

Location Doses per 100 people Total doses

Indonesia 90.5 249,974,816

Show more

This information is regularly updated but may not reflect the latest totals or vaccines administered for each
location. Total vaccinations refers to the number of doses given, and may include booster doses in addition
to those required for full vaccination. The definition of full vaccination varies by country and vaccine type
and is subject to change over time.
Source: Our World in Data
Last updated: 13 December 2021, 14:19 GMT

Related Topics

World Health Organization (WHO) Omicron variant

Coronavirus pandemic

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What we know about Omicron and its impact on Africa

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